The Education (National Curriculum) (Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals) (England) Order 2003

Made25th February 2003

Laid before Parliament28th February 2003

Coming into force 24th March 2003

Whereas, following the referral to it of a proposal by the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (2) of section 96 of the Education Act 20021, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (“QCA”)2 has, in accordance with subsection (3) of that section, given notice thereof to the bodies and persons referred to in that subsection and afforded them a reasonable opportunity of submitting evidence and representations as to the issues arising;

And whereas, in accordance with directions given by the Secretary of State under the said subsection (2), the QCA has submitted its report to the Secretary of State in accordance with subsection (4) of the said section 96;

And whereas the QCA has, after submitting its report to the Secretary of State, arranged for it to be published in accordance with subsection (5) of that section;

And whereas the Secretary of State has published a draft of the Order and sent copies of it to the QCA and all those who were consulted by the QCA, and has allowed a period of not less than one month for the submission of evidence and representations as to the issues arising in accordance with subsections (6) and (7) of the said section 96;

Now therefore the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, in exercise of the powers conferred on the Secretary of State by sections 87(1), (2)(a) and (5) and 96 of the Education Act 2002 hereby makes the following Order:

Citation, commencement, interpretation and application1

1

This Order may be cited as the Education (National Curriculum) (Foundation Stage Early Learning Goals) (England) Order 2003 and shall come into force on 24th March 2003.

2

In this Order—

“the Act” means the Education Act 2002;
“the Document” means the Document entitled “Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage” published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (reference QCA/00/587).

Specification of Early Learning Goals2

1

It is hereby directed that the provisions relating to the early learning goals set out in the Document shall have effect for the purpose of specifying the early learning goals in relation to the areas of learning specified in section 83(2) of the Act.

2

Practitioners involved in delivering the National Curriculum for the foundation stage shall have regard to the Document to plan and provide learning activities that will assist children to progress towards achieving the early learning goals.

Catherine AshtonParliamentary Under Secretary of StateDepartment for Education and Skills25th February 2003

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order made under the Education Act 2002 specifies the early learning goals in relation to each of the areas of learning that are taught to children at the foundation stage. The guidance previously issued by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority in 2000 as non statutory guidance is given the force of law in relation to the early learning goals. Practitioners are also required to have regard to the guidance in planning and providing learning activities for children at the foundation stage that will assist them to progress towards the early learning goals.